Dharamshala — MP Tapir Gao from Arunachal Pradesh, urged the Indian government to officially recognise the institution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to honour His Holiness with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his global contribution to peace, non-violence, and religious harmony.
During zero hour in the Indian Parliament on December 16, 2024, Shri Tapir Gao, Lok Sabha member from Arunachal Pradesh and Co-Convener of the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet （APIPFT, delivered an important speech on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Nobel Peace laureate.
In his speech, Shri Gao stressed the crucial importance for India of preparing for the reincarnation and succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, particularly in view of China's efforts to unilaterally appoint its own 15th Dalai Lama. He also urged the Indian government to officially recognize the institution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to honor His Holiness with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his overall contribution to peace, non-violence and religious harmony.
Shri Tapir Gao wrote on his social media, "During Zero Hour today in Parliament, I urged the Government to recognize The Dalai Lama Institution, as the Chinese government’s decision in 1959 to appoint the 14th Dalai Lama poses a grave threat not only to Buddhism but also to the Tibetan people and the future of Tibet. India and the world must act decisively to recognise the rightful successor, safeguarding both religious and cultural integrity, and ensuring global support for the cause."
"I also called for conferring the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, upon His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, in recognition of his unwavering dedication to peace, compassion, humanity, and universal brotherhood. This long-pending demand reflects the collective sentiment of the people, as His Holiness remains a true Messiah of Peace and a beacon of hope for the world," he added.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, on behalf of all Tibetan people, extended his deepest gratitude to Shri Tapir Gao, for taking Zero Hour in the Indian Parliament to deliver a speech about Tibet at the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet’s meeting on December 17, 2024 in Delhi, India.
